The Scorpions opened the game with confidence, and made most of the early running. They had every reason to be confident because, in their only encounter this year played in difficult conditions at Ballarat, they became the first team to down the Roosters. A second victory would have greatly enhanced their premiership aspirations.
Casey's early run was hampered by its wayward kicking for goal. Brad Miller, who rejected Melbourne's offer of a farewell game in the AFL, was its lone goalkicker during a period of dominance when four set shots at goal went begging.
With the ball moving like a pinball between the respective half forward lines, the Scorpions' defensive tactics were also proving effective as they pushed players back to smother the Roosters' forward moves.
But North Ballarat would not be denied, and it forced its way back into the game with some hard running, although now it was the Roosters' turn to miss the big sticks. When they finally broke through late in the term, the teams were on an even keel.
The first half of the second quarter was to prove decisive, as Casey found itself on the wrong side of some puzzling umpiring decisions. A spilled mark was paid to Rooster Josh Smith for his team's first goal of the term, and then Jamie Bennell was penalised for running too far when his snap went through the big sticks. Both decisions could easily have gone the other way, and the momentum of the game might have altered dramatically if they had.
As it was, Casey responded with a goal to Rian McGough and the teams were going goal for goal, but North Ballarat managed to break the game wide open with three quick goals. While Miller's second provided his team with some respite, two late Rooster goals game them a four-goal break at half time.
Casey's hopes of a revival were snuffed out when a turnover in the defensive fifty led to an early goal to North Ballarat. At the other end, the Scorpions missed a couple of early shots at goal.
Brad Gotch had introduced some changes in an attempt to rejuvenate his team's chances, with Miller moving on to the ball to help Paul Johnson and Tom McNamara moving forward. The moves brought mixed success, but the game slipped away as the Roosters pulled away to an eight goal lead.
Miller's fourth goal early in the final term heralded a short term revival, but North Ballarat's strength in the clinches was irrepressible, and the Roosters moved to a 50 point lead before they slammed on the brakes and conceded three consolation junk time goals to give the Casey scoreboard some respectability.
Best player for the Scorpions was full back Matthew Warnock, who picked up 26 disposals in defence in the face of the North Ballarat siege. The big Demon backman is not qualified for the remainder of the finals series, and will be sorely missed.
McNamara (15 kicks, 5 handballs, 8 marks, 2 goals) was excellent in both defence and attack, while Kyle Cheney (24 touches, 5 marks) worked hard all day under trying circumstances in the Casey defence.
Matt Fieldsend (18 disposals) again showed his class, and his two goals were handy, while Danny Nicholls was a prolific ball winner with 18 kicks and five handballs. Ben MacReadie was good in patches, and picked up 20 possessions on the day.
Utility Rhys Healey had a difficult job tagging North Ballarat's playmaker in Myles Sewell, and his efforts in shading his opponent would have been among the few pleasing aspects of a bad day for coach Brad Gotch.
With a six day break before Casey's next game, there's a lot of work to be done for the Scorpions, who will be desperate to beat the Bullants in Saturday's semi final.
Casey Scorpions - 13.6.84
North Ballarat - 18.8.116
Goals
Miller 4, Fieldsend, Hughes, McNamara 2, Bennell, McGough, Mohr
Best
Warnock, McNamara, Healey, Fieldsend, Miller, Cheney
